Scotland captain Mike Blair will make his debut for the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s tour opening match against a Royal Highveld XV in Rustenburg.  The match kicks-off at 2pm UK time.

The Lions squad was named this lunchtime and includes eight players who have previously worn the famous red shirt.

Blair, the 58-times-capped scrum-half, is the only Scot on duty for this encounter at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace.  The Lions will be led by tour captain, Ireland’s Paul O’Connell.

British & Irish Lions v Royal XV

15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)

14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Wales)
13. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)

10. Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)
9. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)

1 Andrew Sheridand (Sale Sharks/England)
2 Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
3 Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
5 Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland) CAPTAIN
6 Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

Replacements

16. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
17. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
18. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
19. Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland)
20. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
21. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
22. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)